Annastacia Palaszczuk Press Release : 5th April, 2011

[Fares_Fair]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
05/04/2011

Excerpt shown below.

More seats and more frequent trains under new timetables.
More than 150,000 weekly seats will be added to the Ipswich and Caboolture train lines from June 6, 2011
in the biggest change to South-East Queensland train timetables in almost 15 years.
..."With patronage on Queensland Rail services growing by about five per cent in the six months to December 30,
the time is right to undertake a major re-cast of the timetables on two of our busiest train lines," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Press Release found here: http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/302



My questions from the Press Release above.
Of the stated 150,000 weekly seats for the Ipswich and Caboolture lines,
why is the Sunshine Coast/Caboolture line (acknowledged as one of the busiest) receiving only 20,000 weekly seats (that's just 13.3%) ?
If the Minister's Press release is correct, then the Ipswich line gets 86.7% of these services?
Could this be an error in the release ??

Remember the Sunshine Coast is the third highest growth region in the entire state of Queensland (2006 - 2031).
It seems entirely disproportionate when compared to the population growth projections, 2011 edition.
source: Queensland Government Population Projections, 2011 Edition.
http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/publications/qld-govt-pop-proj-qld-sd/index.php


The 20,000 weekly seats figure is from here, 2011 Timetable Community Consultation report, p2
http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/queensland-rail-timetable-changes/consultation-report.pdf

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Gazza]

Remember the Sunshine Coast is the third highest growth region in the entire state of Queensland (2006 - 2031).

Yes, but what is the population growth in the rail corridor catchment?

[Fares_Fair]

Hello Gazza,

Perhaps you could do some research and find out if you think it is relevant.
Personally, and with respect, I don't.
It certainly isn't considered relevant to put into the State Governments Population projections, 2011 Edition.

Rail is there for everyone to use, not just the proscribed catchment excuse.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

I am struggling to find the statistics that say growth in passenger numbers on the SCL is of the order of 7 per cent.

Critically, we should consider the following extracts from reports to government that have not been disputed.

ARUP study – North Coast Line

It shows that Citytrain peak train loads on the Sunshine Coast Line were up to 129 per cent in 2007 and will be 161 per cent in 2016.  By the time the state government proposes to duplicate the track to Nambour, beyond 2026, the measurement of the northbound peak train load will be 199 per cent.

What the Landsborough–Nambour duplication EIS says (and this is the sleeping issue -- passenger versus freight)

The main capacity constraints of the current (NCL) alignment are the turnback times at Nambour station and the delays associated with passing requirements at stations (ie trains waiting in passing loops for express [trains] or services travelling in the opposite direction to pass).  The introduction of a double-track railway (would) allow for a significant increase in train paths, enabling up to four times more passenger services and twice as many freight services to operate within this section of the NCL.

(Between Landsborough and Nambour) the current weekly total of freight services is 136, an average of 19 freight services per day.  The high growth freight forecast indicates that freight demand on the section of the NCL between Northgate and Nambour could grow to up to 348 services weekly by 2026.  That equates to approximately 50 services per day.

(This) assumes that the length of freight trains (currently no longer than 622 metres) does not vary.  Freight train length is ... limited by the lengths of passing loop available on the NCL.

Should the following occur, it may be possible for longer freight trains to operate on the NCL and, thus, reduce the number of freight services required:
•   duplication of the NCL between Nambour and freight destinations to the north

•   significant upgrades to passing loop lengths between Nambour and freight destinations to the north

The NCL is limited to catering for average train lengths of 650 metres. This is largely due to limited crossing loop length. There are about 130 crossing loops on the NCL with lengths varying between 455 metres and 1,400 metres but predominantly about 700 metres. These lengths, which are a historical legacy, limit the length of trains to about 650 metres. This compares with the operation of 1,300-1,500 metre trains on some other parts of the AusLink Network. This constraint on train length could impact on the potential growth in rail freight transport.

[Fares_Fair]

sorry SW, where does it say 7% ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

I'm searching FF. 

[Fares_Fair]

I have never said that, have I, at least I don't think I have. 

Average annual growth is projected for the Sunshine Coast at 2.2% p.a.

All very valid and good points you make SW.

Regards,
Fares_fair.

[Stillwater]

I need to get the reference, but here are the data:

These reports (extracts attached) reveal that:

•   the annual compounded growth rate for morning peak passenger numbers on the North Coast Line beyond Caboolture is six per cent, second only to the 7.1 per cent figure for the Gold Coast Line south of Beenleigh to Robina;

•   annual freight growth on the North Coast Line is set to double over a 20-year period, creating conflicts for scheduling fright trains and passenger trains throughout the day, unless freight trains on this line are made longer, from 670 metres to 1500 metres, but this would require construction of longer passing loops.

My earlier post said 7 per cent, but the figure for the SCL is 6 per cent (beyond Caboolture)

[Fares_Fair]

Hello SW,

Can you post the report links for the statistics above please.
I know people who are interested in them.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Gazza]

Perhaps you could do some research and find out if you think it is relevant.
Personally, and with respect, I don't....
Rail is there for everyone to use, not just the proscribed catchment excuse.

It is relevant, or else they wouldn't be planning CAMCOS for where the majority of the Sunshine Coast population actually exists.

[Fares_Fair]

Great, please get the statistics to support this 'catchment' line.
I personally think it's a furphy, but I'd be happy to see them.

Regards,
Fares-Fair.

[Stillwater]

Eureka FF, found them:

The data are from Translink's Rail Service Infrastructure Requirements Study, 2007, page 21.

http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/right-to-information/D103305-rail-and-infrastructure-study.pdf

Do I get a Freddo Frog for that?

[Stillwater]

Bugger, link doesn't work.  Go to Google and type in Translink and Rail Service Infrastructure Requirements Study.

LOL, print it off before it disappears!

[Fares_Fair]

not a problem SW, got it, downloaded it and saved it ... 2 freddos for you.

Regards,
Fares-Fair.

[Arnz]

The more further out the stations/rail line is in Qld, the more "transfer" traffic and less "O&D" there is.  

Hence, the catchment for longer distance lines also extend to the more populated areas, regardless if theres a line out to the populated areas are not (eg CAMCOS might apply in the future, but till then the existing Sunshine Coast service on the North Coast main line also extends from the Hinterland catchment to the populated coastal area as a result).

The Gold Coast Line is a prime example, followed by the Sunshine Coast Line.  If they did O&D traffic, the traffic for both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast would be a lot less than the suburban lines, most of the traffic on those 2 lines are "transfer" & "Park & Ride" commuters (and tourists).  The Park & Ride at most Gold Coast stations are full each morning, same for some of Sunshine Coast stations (Landsborough (busiest station of the line), Nambour, Beerwah and the lesser extents of Palmwoods & Woombye)

[Fares_Fair]

Thanks Arnz,

What's 'O&D' mean ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

The more one looks into all the available documentation, FF, Translink, QR, the transport logistics sector and economic development agencies are screaming at the state government to upgrade the SCL.  The body of evidence is overwhelming.

[Arnz]

Thanks Arnz,

What's 'O&D' mean ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

O&D  (Origin & Destination), from one point to another with no transfers.   This terminology is used mostly in the airline industry.

Example, Central to Nundah (then said commuter either walks home or goes to the shops in the area).  A person either transferring to a bus, or drove down to Park & Ride, is considered a transfer.

[Golliwog]

FF, I'm not going to get into this debate, but all I'm going to say is:

1. I agree the Sunshine Coast line needs to be duplicated and get better services.
2. Just because it has the 3rd highest growth rate, doesn't necessarily mean much. If I had my town and it consisted of just me, then 2 of my friends moved in, the population of my town has now tripled (growth of 300%) yet I wouldn't see that as a reason to call for my own train line.